not sure how to write this equation and if it's one or two equations to get both answers!

Question

A 50-ft-long piece of crime scene tape is cut into two pieces so that one piece is two-thirds as long as the other. How long is each piece?

Answer 1

x + y = 50

y = (2/3)x

 

Solve by substituting for y.  After substitution you will have:

 

x + (2/3)x = 50

 

Solve for x and then plug in to get y (check both equations to be sure).   Note that you can do it the 2 equation or 1 equation way.  If you do it the 1 equation way your starting point is the same as equation above after you've done the substitution, meaning your starting point is just this:

 

x + (2/3)x = 50

 

It doesn't matter how you do it, unless your teacher is requiring a certain way.